When is it appropriate to answer in scientific notation?

[Stringy]

I just had a chem half yearly and one of the questions asked us to calculate the molarity of an unknown concentration of acid. It did not state to how many sig figs we where to answer, so I just put it in notation. Can this be marked wrong?

[kauac]

I just had a chem half yearly and one of the questions asked us to calculate the molarity of an unknown concentration of acid. It did not state to how many sig figs we where to answer, so I just put it in notation. Can this be marked wrong?

Hi...

I don't think putting it into scientific notation would be an issue. From memory, most of the HSC past exam sample answers had molarity expressed in scientific notation. Also, some markers/teachers may even prefer it over sig figs as it is technically more accurate (as you don't need to round it). 

[Fizzycyst]

I just had a chem half yearly and one of the questions asked us to calculate the molarity of an unknown concentration of acid. It did not state to how many sig figs we where to answer, so I just put it in notation. Can this be marked wrong?

It should never state the number of sig figs needed in the answer, you need to determine this from the data in the question.

Scientific notation is generally used when indices are 10^-3 or less and 10^3 or greater.

Sci not is the preferred format as it shows number of sig figs, for example, the answer is 1000. Is that 1,2,3 or 4 sig figs? If you use scientific notation it removes the ambiguity 1x10^3 is different to 1.0x10^3, different to 1.00x10^3 etc..

So, in short, use scientific notation, it’s more ‘Band 6-y’